Caring for a loved one can have challenges and
be stressful for a caregiver. Professional help
can alleviate this
The challenges are many, it could be physical, movability issues, sight, hearing, and metal health, such as dementia. If you are looking after someone that has these life effecting challenges it can take it’s toll on the carer.
Employing a care professional, even for just a couple of hours a week can lighten the load considerably. Not just a physical relief but mentally and having a professional to provide guidance and support. This could include introduction to activities and groups to help create a support network. All of this has great potential to improve the quality of life for the person being cared for, and that in turn improves the life of the carer, not to mention, sense of satisfaction this can bring.
Examples of some of the really simple things care professionals do it to take their clients out for lunch, it could be a regular visit to a favourite day centre, pub restaurant or café. One location used by a Home Instead career, Jo Blackmore, the Meadows Camberley, where you have the choice of the cafe in M&S or the restaurant in Tesco, both with lots going on around them, just what Jo’s client, Bob, from Camberley, wanted, a good bit of people watching.
Companionship is a growing part of care and taking some of the strain away from loved ones. This often takes the form of a walk ,a little outing, shopping or a visit to the hairdresser, all maintain the person needing cares’ felling of independence. Lesley, another of Home Instead’s carers, looking after John, who is living with dementia, took him on a great trip out to Milestones, the living history museum in Basingstoke, which John thoroughly enjoyed.
Physical activity might be something that a friend of relative might feel less comfortable with for someone they care for but care professional Graham took the renowned former Aldershot Restaurateur and Gurkha, Hari Bivor Karki, swimming at Grahams own club, Nuffield Health in Farnham, as he discovered the club had a hoist and Hari’s family were keen that Hari should get some exercise.
Loneliness is a major concern, among the elderly so for family unable to visit a frequently as they might like companionship care is hugely valuable providing peace of mind, that their loved one is not alone.